Local News0.00http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R310.php
<strong><span style="color: #000000;">Mobile Rebuild Florida Center to Visit our County</span></strong>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1sqde-0-0">Next week, a mobile Rebuild Florida center equipped with intake specialists who can help families through the registration process will be in our county.</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fh79q-0-0">Rebuild Florida is a program by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help families repair, rebuild or replace homes damaged during Hurricane Irma.</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3f9qr-0-0">&nbsp;</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="d2oqv-0-0">Rebuild Florida mobile center location:</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2t6dd-0-0">Dec. 3 - Dec. 8</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9g29b-0-0">CVS</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3ta4l-0-0">1105 W Main St.</div>
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</div>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:000.60http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R309.php
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Libraries Offer Wonderful Free Resources</strong></span>
<strong><span style="color: #000000;">The Friends of the Lake Placid Memorial Library has generously donated to Highlands County several electronic resources from Recorded Books, Inc., including audiobooks, e-books, digital magazines, and a language learning platform.</span></strong><br /> <br /><span style="color: #000000;"><strong> After an initial setup, users will be able access everything through a single app on their chosen device. Library staff across Highlands County will be trained and prepared to promote the services and assist with the initial registration process.<br /></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color: #000000;">To access this wonderful tool please click her</span>e&nbsp;<a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flakeplacidfl.rbdigital.com%2F&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cgrybinski%40hcbcc.org%7C048c39344c6c49b4de5a08d64bd0e3ca%7Cc6d8b0e68e86414a8a5d1c546c257b18%7C0%7C0%7C636779757895075210&amp;sdata=SejRnJb5kHPQZ6U80e%2BFsgVQFHJI3E3CuyosHQpheec%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://lakeplacidfl.rbdigital.com/</a></strong>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:000.500.50
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong><a href="Public%20Safety%20Newsletter%2011-18.pdf" target="_blank">HCFR Newsletter</a></strong></span>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:001.001.00
<strong><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4521175/refuse" target="_blank">Garbage Complaint Form</a></span></strong>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:001.00http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R301.php
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>DON&rsquo;T INVITE A BEAR TO DINNER. HELP PROTECT YOUR TRASH FROM BEARS.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Highlands County are teaming up to provide bear-resistant trash cans to county residents at discounted rates. Recently, Highlands County was awarded a BearWise Grant from FWC for $48,000. The money is being used to purchase bear-resistant trash cans.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">If you live in Highlands County you will soon have an opportunity to purchase a bear-resistant trash can modified with a latching mechanism that works with the fully automated sidearm waste collection trucks. Highlands County and Waste Connections, Inc. are currently testing the cans to make sure they work properly under various load conditions (from 1 light bag of trash to stuffed full of trash).</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Trash is the number one bear-attractor in Florida. Bears that become food conditioned are more likely to return to residential areas and cause property damage&nbsp;getting to a food source. &nbsp;Bears also lose their fear of people and can become a threat. Using bear-resistant trash cans helps deter bears from associating your home to a food source.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The lock-top containers, designed to keep trash in and bears out, have proven effective in other communities in Florida. These special bear-tested cans with gravity locks;</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Allow you to set garbage out overnight (instead of between 4-6 a.m.)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Work well with the County&rsquo;s automated curbside collection</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Discourage bears from making regular visits to neighborhoods</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Eliminate the amount of trash you must clean up after bears</span></li>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Remember, any food source that attracts dogs, cats or raccoons will attract bears.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Highlands County will sell the 95-gallon bear-resistant trash can at the highly discounted price of $75 plus tax. There is a process to obtaining the bear-resistant cans including an application. Successful applicants will include those residents who have called in complaints to FWC for bears in trash and/or those residents who live in high density black bear areas within Highlands County. The application is available at&nbsp;<a href="http://bit.ly/Bearsafe" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/Bearsafe </a>&nbsp;or you can call the County&rsquo;s Solid Waste Department at 863-402-6505 or email Bea Johnson at <a href="mailto:bjohnson@hcbcc.org"><span style="color: #000000;">bjohnson@hcbcc.org</span></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Never intentionally feed a bear. It&rsquo;s illegal in Florida.</strong></span></p>
<p align="center"><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Remember, a fed bear, is a dead bear</span>.</strong></p>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:002.002.00
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><rz:link template="freeform" module="links" recordid="7331">Special Fire Assessment</rz:link></strong></span>
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<strong><span style="color: #000000;"><rz:link target="_blank" file="docs/2018 Schedule.pdf" linktype="file">2018 Yard and Bulk Pick up Schedule&nbsp;</rz:link></span></strong>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:000.500.50
<strong><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://bit.ly/hcbccalert" target="_blank">Click Here to sign up for Alert Highlands</a></span></strong>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:001.301.30
<span style="color: #0000ff;"><strong><a href="http://www.hcbcc.net/Blower%20Door%20Testing.pdf"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Blower Door Testing</span></a></strong></span>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:006.00http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R204.php
<span style="color: #000000;">Highlands County Floodplain Management Ordinance Brochure</span>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-size: 13px; color: #000000; text-decoration: underline;">History</span></strong></span></h1>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">The U.S. Congress established the NFIP on August 1, 1968, with the passage of the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) of 1968. The NFIP was broadened and modified with the passage of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and other legislative measures. It was further modified by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act (NFIRA) of 1994 and the Flood Insurance Reform Act (FIRA) of 2004. The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Highlands County has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1983, which allows eligibility for flood insurance (new insurance policies and renewal of existing policies). Additional information about the NFIP can be found at <a href="http://www.fema.gov"><span style="color: #000000;">www.fema.gov</span></a>&nbsp; and at&nbsp; <a href="file:///C:\Users\grybinsk\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\C08SQ7TD\www.Floodsmart.gov"><span style="color: #000000;">www.Floodsmart.gov</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000; font-size: 13px;"><br />Questions and Answers</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Below are answers to general questions that will provide citizens with the most accurate information pertaining to the Highlands County Floodplain Management Ordinance and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).</span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Q: What does approving this Ordinance accomplish for a citizen?</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">A: By approving this Ordinance, Highlands County will be allowed to participate in the NFIP. Through the NFIP, property owners in participating communities are able to insure against flood losses. By employing wise floodplain management, a participating community can reduce risk and protect its citizens and the community against much of the devastating financial losses resulting from flood disasters. Careful local management of development in the floodplains results in construction practices that can reduce flood losses and the high costs associated with flood disasters to all levels of government.</span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Q: If this Ordinance is not adopted, will I be able to purchase or renew Flood Insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">A:&nbsp; No. Flood insurance through NFIP can only be purchased in communities that participate in NFIP. If Highlands County does not adopt a Floodplain Management Ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum NFIP requirements by November 18, 2015, Highlands County will be suspended from the program until it comes into compliance. Federally backed loans cannot be made for acquisition or construction of improved real estate located in the Special Flood Hazard Area in non-participating communities.</span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Q: What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">A:&nbsp; The NFIP is a Federal program created by Congress to mitigate future flood losses nationwide through sound, community-enforced building and zoning ordinances and to provide access to affordable, federally backed flood insurance protection for property owners. The NFIP is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods.</span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Participation in the NFIP is based on an agreement between local communities and the Federal Government that states that if a community will adopt and enforce a floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood risks to new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), the Federal Government will make flood insurance available within the community as a financial protection against flood losses.</span></h3>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Q: What is a Flood Insurance Rate Map?</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">A:&nbsp; A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is an official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Contact Information<br /></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Highlands County</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Development Services Department</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">501 S. Commerce Ave. Annex</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Sebring, FL 33870</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">863-402-6650</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.hcbcc.net"><span style="color: #000000;">www.hcbcc.net</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">1-800-427-4661</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip"><span style="color: #000000;">http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://www.floodsmart.gov"><span style="color: #000000;">http://www.floodsmart.gov</span></a></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><br /><br /></strong></span></p>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:001.00http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R191.php
<strong><span style="color: #000080;">Building Department Tip Line</span></strong>
The Highlands County Building Department has a new Tip Hotline for reporting unlicensed activity and work without a permit. By calling 863-402-6885 and providing a brief description of your complaint and the location of where the suspected violation is taking place, you will help us investigate and bring violators under compliance.0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:000.70http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R186.php
<strong><span style="color: #000000;">2018 Special Needs Shelter Registration Began January 1st&nbsp;</span></strong>
All persons interested in utilizing the Special Needs Shelter for the 2018 Hurricane season will need to register with the Highlands County Health Department. If you require specialized equipment for your health needs such as oxygen concentrator or other similar equipment you may want to register.<br /><br />Each year registration begins anew, and last year approval are no longer valid. If you would like to register for the 2018 season, you can obtain an application from either your home health agency, the Highlands County Health Department (863-386-6040) or the Emergency Operations Center (863-385-1112) Registration forms are also available online at <rz:link template="freeform" module="links" recordid="5999">http://cms2.revize.com/revize/highlandscounty/departments/emergency_management/special_needs_shelter_applications.php</rz:link>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:003.003.00
<span style="color: #000000;"><rz:link target="_blank" file="/docs/2017 Employee years of service.pdf" linktype="file">Years of Service Recognition</rz:link></span>
0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:004.50http://www.hcbcc.net/news_detail_T2_R163.php
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong><span style="color: #000000;">Highlands County has developed a free app for you!</span></strong></p>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;">The <strong>Highlands County Florida Emergency and Informational App </strong>is intended as a &ldquo;one-stop shop&rdquo; for everyday preparedness, emergency preparedness, county contact information and emergency information alerts.&nbsp; It is free on all Apple and Android devices.&nbsp; This app is not intended to replace your primary means of emergency notification.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">The app features:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;">Local Weather, Emergency Alerts, Announcements,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;">Departments Directory, Parks Directory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;">If you have a bar code or QR scanner, please scan the device specific QR code below for a short-cut to the app or visit Google Play for Android or &nbsp;the iTunes store for iPhones and search for <strong><em>Highlands County Florida Emergency and Informational App.<br /><br /></em></strong></span></span></span>
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<td>Android&nbsp;</td>
<td>iPhone&nbsp;</td>
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<td>&nbsp;<rz:link style="width: 144px;" title="AndroidQR" file="images/AndroidQR.png" alt="AndroidQR" /></td>
<td>&nbsp;<rz:link style="width: 144px;" title="QRIphone" file="images/QRIphone1.png" alt="QRIphone" /></td>
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<span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></span></div>0001-01-01 00:00 +00:000001-01-01 00:00 -08:00